Celebrating Manufacturing Excellence

10.02.2025

Featured

Manufacturing

The best of Connecticut manufacturing was on full display at the Oct. 2 Made in Connecticut: 2025 Manufacturing Summit.

“Our annual manufacturing awards are an opportunity to recognize those who are making a difference on the shop floor, in the classroom, and in their communities,” CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima said introducing the 2025 manufacturing awards.

This year’s awards featured a special recognition for General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Shawn Coyne.

The Office of Workforce Strategy honored Coyne as the governor’s inaugural Connecticut Workforce Champion.

The award recognizes Coyne’s contribution to manufacturing workforce development efforts around the state.

Workforce Champion

Connecticut chief workforce officer Kelli-Marie Vallieres presented the award, noting Coyne’s work with Electric Boat to build out pipelines that support students from kindergarten through high school.

“Sean and his team have been very innovative in how they support the talent pipeline and are a real exemplar for other industries in Connecticut,” she said.

Coyne was also recognized for his roles on the boards of CBIA, ReadyCT, the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, the Manufacturing Innovation Fund, and the Governor’s Workforce Council.

Thrilled to see @GDElectricBoat's Shawn Coyne receive the inaugural Governor's Workforce Champion Award from chief workforce officer Kelli-Marie Vallieres at @CBIANews' #MadeinCT summit, along with an incredible walnut keepsake box made by @CTTechHS students—a fitting tribute! pic.twitter.com/wj0SITwnJr
— Chris DiPentima (@ChrisDipentima) October 3, 2025

“I think that’s what makes Shawn so special to have,” said Connecticut chief workforce officer Kelli-Marie Vallieres.

“He doesn’t see himself as being ‘the big guy’ in the room, but as a contributor and a partner and a support through building out the job training programs and the supports for students across the state of Connecticut.”

The award itself also held a special significance because it was designed and made by carpentry and precision machining technology students from Oliver Wolcott Tech in Torrington.

“The award is a keepsake box a testament to the skills being developed in our technical programs,” said CTECS chief of staff Ronke Stallings.

Innovation Award

The summit also featured awards for excellence in education and manufacturing innovation presented by ReadyCT and CONNSTEP and sponsored by TD Bank.

“There’s so much innovation and new ideas,” said TD Bank regional vice president Steve Litchfield.

“These awards recognize educators who go above and beyond in their support for the manufacturing pipeline and manufacturers who lead the way in adopting innovative technology.”

CONNSTEP presented this year’s Technology Innovation Award to H&T Waterbury’s Spencer Cushman.

*Shipman & Goodwin’s Alfredo Fernandez presents the CONNSTEP Technology Innovation Award to H&T Waterbury’s Spencer Cushman*.

The company is a global leader in battery can manufacturing.

H&T was recognized for its “modernization efforts through the adoption of automation and digital tools to improve their company’s efficiency, streamlining its operations—all buzzwords that we love to hear when they’re real,” said Shipman & Goodwin attorney and CONNSTEP board vice chair Alfredo Fernandez.

“Innovation and continuous improvement—they go hand in hand,” said Cushman.

“It’s kind of a cliche, but if you’re not growing, if you’re not innovating and moving forward, you’re you’re moving backwards.”

Pathway Award

Dan Williamson, ReadyCT’s director of career pathways for Hartford and New Britain, presented the Pathway Award for Excellence in Manufacturing to New Britain High School teacher Eric Nelson.

Nelson is the lead teacher at the Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology Academy at the school.

He has helped expand the program from just six students in 2019 to now serving more than 200.

*ReadyCT’s Dan Williamson presents the Pathway Award to New Britain High School’s Eric Nelson*.

Williamson said Nelson “has redefined what it means to prepare students for the future of manufacturing.”

“He always makes sure that we’re given opportunities and to take those opportunities,” said New Britain High School senior Joshua Henriquez.

“I just love watching them get excited for something, seeing them be successful, whatever success is defined by each person,” said Nelson. “It’s special.”

Export Awards

The summit also featured the Connecticut District Export Council’s annual awards, honoring companies for their achievements in expanding market reach.

“Connecticut’s export sector is such an important part of our economy,” said DiPentima.

The awards, presented by the Connecticut District Export Council, U.S. Commercial Service, and Shipman & Goodwin, honored 22 exporters for their achievements.

The awards were focused on two categories—companies that sold to a country not previously exported to and company sales to an existing country that increased by at least 100%.